Method and apparatus for wireless audio delivery

ABSTRACT

Techniques for providing wireless delivery of audio sounds from audio systems to personal audio devices are disclosed. These techniques can permit users of the personal audio device to be mobile yet still acquire the audio sounds. These techniques can also optionally provide customization (or personalization) of the audio sounds to the user&#39;s hearing and/or modification of the audio sounds in view of environmental conditions. According to one aspect of the invention, audio output from an audio system or a personal audio device can be delivered in a directionally constrained manner. According to another aspect of the invention, a wireless adapter can serve as an after market modification to an audio system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of: (i) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/462,570, filed Apr. 15, 2003, and entitled “WIRELESSCOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS OR DEVICES, HEARING ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS ORDEVICES, AND METHODS THEREFOR,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/469,221,filed May 12, 2003, and entitled “WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ORDEVICES, HEARING ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS OR DEVICES, DIRECTIONAL SPEAKER FORELECTRONIC DEVICE, PERSONALIZED AUDIO SYSTEMS OR DEVICES, AND METHODSTHEREFOR,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and (iii)U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/493,441, filed Aug. 8, 2003,and entitled “WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS OR DEVICES, HEARINGENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS OR DEVICES, DIRECTIONAL SPEAKER FOR ELECTRONICDEVICE, AUDIO SYSTEMS OR DEVICES, WIRELESS AUDIO DELIVERY, AND METHODSTHEREFOR,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application is also related to: (i) U.S. patent applicationNo. ______, filed concurrently, and entitled, “DIRECTIONAL WIRELESSCOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; (ii) U.S. patent application No. ______, filed concurrently,and entitled, “DIRECTIONAL HEARING ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference; (iii) U.S. patent application No.______, filed concurrently, and entitled, “DIRECTIONAL SPEAKER FORPORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference; and (iv) U.S. patent application No. ______, filedconcurrently, and entitled, “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCALIZED DELIVERYOF AUDIO SOUND FOR ENHANCED PRIVACY,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to audio systems and, moreparticularly, to wireless audio delivery from audio systems to personalaudio devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Audio systems provide audio sounds to one or more users. Audiosystems, for example, include stereo systems, DVD players, VCRs, andtelevisions. These audio systems utilize one or more speakers to provideaudio sounds to a wide area. For example, an audio system can beinternal to a building (e.g., house) and produce audio sounds from itsspeakers provided in a particular room. When a user desires to hear theaudio output in another room (remote room) far from the audio system,the user is likely unable to hear the audio sounds produced by the audiosystem. Traditionally, a user would have to provide one or more speakers(e.g., floor, wall, desktop, or book shelve type) in the remote room byrunning wires from the audio system to the one or more speakers in theremote room. More recently, wireless speakers have become available andcan thus eliminate the need to provide such wiring.

[0005] In any case, the audio sounds are provided primarily in the oneor more rooms that contains the speakers, and, to a certain degree, toother adjoining rooms. While the ability to hear audio sounds anywherein the particular room and other adjoining rooms is beneficial if otherpersons in these rooms desire to hear the audio sounds, unfortunately,however, many times the other persons in the particular room or theadjoining rooms do not desire to hear the audio output. Indeed, theseother persons are disturbed by the audio sounds being produced for theenjoyment of others. In effect, to these others, the unwanted audiosounds are a form of noise pollution.

[0006] If the user in the remote room has a headset available, the usercan wear the headset to reduce the disturbance to others. The headsetneeds to be wireless in order to retain mobility. Regardless of whetherwired or wireless, wearing a headset can be uncomfortable andsignificantly hinders one's ability to hear other sounds.

[0007] Today, there are no satisfactory solutions to reducing such noisepollution. The user (or users) desirous of hearing audio sounds canreduce the volume of the audio sounds or close openings (e.g., doors) toadjoining rooms. These approaches are of limited usefulness as audiosounds pass through doors and walls and reducing volume is often notdesirous by the user (or users) desiring to hear the audio sounds.Alternatively, the user desirous of hearing the audio sounds can wear aheadset that contains one or a pair of speakers. For example, if theuser in the remote room has a headset available, the user can wear theheadset to hear the audio sounds instead of using room speakers, andthus reduce the disturbance to others. Wearing a headset is often notacceptable because it substantially limits the user's ability to hearother sounds. When more than a single person is desirous of hearing theaudio sounds, often they also want to simultaneously interact with eachother or otherwise hear other sounds. However, the use of a headsetusually means that only the user can hear the audio sounds (buttypically not other sounds) and requires a wired or wireless connectionto the audio system. Moreover, as noted above, wearing a headset canoften be uncomfortable for the user.

[0008] Thus, there is a need for improved approaches to providingwireless delivery of audio sounds from audio systems to personal audiodevices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention pertains to techniques for providing wirelessdelivery of audio sounds from audio systems to personal audio devices.Typically, audio systems are stationary and personal audio devices areportable. These techniques can permit users of the personal audio deviceto be mobile yet still acquire the audio sounds. Based on the invention,audio systems can be readily adapted to provide the wireless delivery ofaudio sounds. These techniques can also optionally provide customization(or personalization) of the audio sounds to user's hearing and/ormodification of the audio sounds in view of environmental conditions.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, audio output from anaudio system can be delivered to one or more persons desirous of hearingthe audio output. Each person can have a personal audio device. Thepersonal audio device causes audio sound corresponding to audio outputfrom the audio system to be output to its associated person, in adirectionally constrained manner. Consequently, other persons notdesirous of hearing the audio output do not receive substantial amountsof the audio sounds. Thus, they are less disturbed by the unwanted audiosounds.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a wireless adaptercan serve as an after market modification to an audio system. Thewireless adapter enables audio signals output by the audio system to bewirelessly transmitted to one or more personal audio devices. Eachpersonal audio device receives the audio sounds and produces audio soundfor its user.

[0012] The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as amethod, system, device, apparatus, and a computer readable medium.

[0013] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention will be readily understood by the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, andin which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote audio delivery systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote audio delivery systemaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a remote audio delivery systemaccording to yet another embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a diagram of a building layout illustrating use ofseveral embodiments of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a remote audio delivery processaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of an environmental accommodationprocess according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of audio personalization processaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0022]FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an ultrasonic transduceraccording to one embodiment of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram of audio systems that providedirectional audio delivery to interested users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

[0024] The invention pertains to techniques for providing wirelessdelivery of audio sounds from audio systems to personal audio devices.Typically, audio systems are stationary and personal audio devices areportable. These techniques can permit users of the personal audio deviceto be mobile yet still acquire the audio sounds. Based on the invention,audio systems can be readily adapted to provide the wireless delivery ofaudio sounds. These techniques can also optionally provide customization(or personalization) of the audio sounds to user's hearing and/ormodification of the audio sounds in view of environmental conditions.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, audio output from anaudio system can be delivered to one or more persons desirous of hearingthe audio output. Each person can have a personal audio device. Thepersonal audio device causes audio sound corresponding to audio outputfrom the audio system to be output to its associated person in adirectionally constrained manner. Consequently, other persons notdesirous of hearing the audio output do not receive substantial amountsof the audio sounds. Thus, they are less disturbed by the unwanted audiosounds.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, a wireless adaptercan serve as an after market modification to an audio system. Thewireless adapter enables audio signals output by the audio system to bewirelessly transmitted to one or more personal audio devices. Eachpersonal audio device receives the audio signals and produces audiosound for its user.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with referenceto FIGS. 1-8. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the detailed description given herein with respect to these figuresis for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond theselimited embodiments.

[0028]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote audio delivery system 100according to one embodiment of the invention. The remote audio deliverysystem 100 includes an audio system 102 that produces an audio output.The audio system 102 is, for example, a television, a Compact Disc (CD)player, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) player, a stereo, a computer withspeakers etc. In one embodiment, the audio system 102 can also bereferred to as an entertainment system. In one implementation, the audiosystem 102 is stationary—meaning that the audio system 102, althoughmovable, generally remain in a fixed location. In any case, the audiooutput from the audio system 102 is supplied to a wireless transmissionapparatus 104. In one implementation, the wireless transmissionapparatus 104 is coupled to an audio output port (e.g., terminal,connector, receptacle, etc.) of the audio system 102. The coupling canbe directly to the audio output port of the audio system 102 or can becoupled to the audio output port by way of a cable. In one embodiment,the wireless transmission apparatus 104 can also be referred to as awireless audio adapter because it is able to adapt the audio system 102for wireless audio delivery without requiring changes to the audiosystem 102.

[0029] The wireless transmission apparatus 104 receives the audio outputfrom the audio system 102 and transmits the audio output over a wirelesschannel 105 (or wireless link) to a wireless receiver 106 of a personalaudio device 107. The wireless channel 105 is typically a short rangewireless link, for example, such as available using Bluetooth, WiFi orother dedicated frequency (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz) techniques. As iswell known, the wireless channel 105 carries the audio output, but thewireless channel 105 uses one or more frequencies not within the audiofrequency range. The wireless receiver 106 receives the audio outputthat is transmitted by the wireless transmission apparatus 104 over thewireless channel 105. The received audio output is then supplied tocontrol circuitry 108. The control circuitry 108 converts the receivedaudio output into speaker drive signals. The speaker drive signals arethen used to activate a directional speaker 110 which produces outputsound. The output sound from the directional speaker 110 isdirectionally confined for enhanced privacy. Optionally, as discussed indetail below, the control circuitry 108 can also provide customizationor personalization to the person and/or the environment.

[0030] The directionally confined output sound produced by thedirectional speaker 110 allows the user of the personal audio device 107to hear the audio sound even though neither of the user's ears touchesor coupled against the directional speaker 110. However, in oneembodiment, the directional nature of the output sound is towards theuser (e.g., user's ear(s)) and thus provides privacy by restricting theoutput sound to a confined directional area. In other words, bystandersin the vicinity of the personal audio device but not within the confineddirectional area would not be able to directly hear the output sound, orotherwise hear a significant portion of the output sound, produced bythe directional speaker 110. The bystanders might be able to hear adegraded version of the output sound after it reflects from a surface.The reflected output sound, if any, that reaches the bystander would beat a reduced decibel level (e.g., at least a 20 dB reduction) making itdifficult for bystanders to hear and understand the output sound. Inanother embodiment, the directional nature of the output sound, such asvia an ultrasonic beam, is considered directed towards the ear as longas any portion of the beam, or the cone of the beam, is immediatelyproximate to, such as within 7 cm of, the ear. The direction of the beamdoes not have to be directed at the ear. It can even be orthogonal tothe ear, such as propagating up from one's shoulder, substantiallyparallel to the face of the person.

[0031] In one embodiment, the directional speaker 110 is an ultrasonicspeaker, and the control circuitry 208 converts the received audiooutput into ultrasonic drive signals that are used to drive theultrasonic speaker. The ultrasonic drive signals are supplied to theultrasonic speaker to generate ultrasonic output. The ultrasonic outputis subsequently transformed, for example, by air, into audio output. Inone embodiment, the frequency spectrum of the resulting audio output(after such transformation) is similar to the audio output from theaudio system 102. In another embodiment, the frequency spectrum of theresulting audio output is altered so as to provide customized hearing(e.g., enhanced hearing), or to adapt to environmental conditions orphysical conditions of the user.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote audio delivery system 200according to another embodiment of the invention. The remote audiodelivery system 200 includes an audio system 202 and a wirelesstransmitter 204. In one embodiment, the wireless transmitter 204 canalso be referred to as a wireless audio adapter. It is able to adapt theaudio system 202 for wireless audio delivery without requiring physicalchanges to the audio system 202. In one implementation, the wirelesstransmitter 204 is coupled to the audio system 202 via an audio outputport of the audio system 202. Such coupling can be achieved by aconnector alone or in combination with a cable. In another embodiment,the wireless transmitter 204 is integral and thus part of the audiosystem so that no connector or cable is necessary. The audio system 202and the wireless transmitter 204 together form a wireless audio deliverysystem.

[0033] Audio output from the audio system 202 is supplied to thewireless transmitter 204 via the audio output port of the audio system202 or other means. Then, the wireless transmitter 204 transmits theaudio output over a wireless channel (wireless link) 205 to a wirelessreceiver 206 of a personal audio device 207. The received audio outputat the wireless receiver 206 is then supplied to control circuitry 208.The control circuitry 208 can receive user information pertaining to theuser from a data storage device 202. For example, the user informationcan pertain to an audio profile associated with the user. An audioprofile contains or is based on hearing characteristics of an associateduser. The user information can be stored in a data storage device 210.The data storage device 210 can be a dedicated or removable data storagemedium. Examples of removable data storage medium include a memory card(Flash memory card, memory stick, credit card with data storage, PC card(PCMCIA), etc.).

[0034] The control circuitry 208 produces speaker drive signals that areused to drive a speaker 212. In this embodiment, the speaker drivesignals are produced by the control circuitry 208 based upon not onlythe received audio output but also the user information. In other words,the control circuitry 208 can modify the drive signals being supplied tothe speaker 212 based upon the user information. As such, the audiosound being produced by the speaker 212 can be customized for (orpersonalized to) the user. For example, when the user informationpertains to hearing characteristics and/or user preferences of the user,the control circuitry 208 is able to produce customized drive signalsfor the speaker 212 such that the resulting audio output by the speaker212 is customized for the hearing characteristics and/or userpreferences of the user.

[0035] The remote audio delivery system 200 shown in FIG. 2 can make useof customization of the audio output at the personal audio device 207.Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, the personal audio device 207 can includethe wireless receiver 206, the control circuitry 208, the data storagedevice 210 and the speaker 212. Nevertheless, it should be noted thatthe customization could also be performed elsewhere. For example, theaudio system 202 or the wireless transmitter 204 can further includecontrol circuitry (not shown) that would obtain user information andthen customize audio output prior to its transmission to the personalaudio device 207. Such an implementation could provide centralizedcustomization of the audio output for one or more personal audiodevices.

[0036]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a remote audio delivery system 300according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The remote audiodelivery system 300 includes an audio system 302, a wireless network304, and personal audio devices 306 and 308. The wireless network 304can be a wireless local area network, such as a Bluetooth or WiFinetwork. Here, the remote audio delivery system 300 illustrates that theaudio system 302 can supply audio output to one or more personal audiodevices 306 and 308 over a wireless network 304. The wireless network304 can, for example, be used in the vicinity of a home or business. Theaudio output from the audio system 302 can be broadcast, multicast orunicast over the wireless network 304. In other words, the audio outputfrom the audio system 302 can be directed to one or more of the personalaudio devices 306 and 308. In one implementation, a different networkaddress is associated with each of the personal audio devices, and thusthe audio output can be transmitted to the appropriate one or more ofthe personal audio devices via the wireless network 304 using theassociated network addresses. Although FIG. 3 illustrates only thepersonal audio devices 306 and 308, it should be understood that theremote audio delivery system 300 can support many personal audiodevices, and such personal audio devices can be of the same type or ofdifferent types.

[0037] As described above, the wireless audio adapter 204 can be matchedto the personal audio device 207. In other words, each wireless audioadapter can have a corresponding personal audio device.

[0038] In other embodiments, wireless signals from a wireless audioadapter 204 can be received by multiple personal audio devices. This canbe done, for example, by broadcasting the audio output over a wirelesschannel and having the multiple personal audio devices tune to thewireless channel. The broadcast can be performed in the analog domain orin the digital domain. For the latter case, the broadcast can beperformed in Layer 3 (e.g. IP multicast) or Layer 2 (e.g. IEEE 802.11).If personal customization is desired, each of the personal audio device207 can be first initialized with the wireless audio adapter 204. Theinitializing process can be performed by requiring each audio device totransmit, wirelessly or through a wired connection, an identifier to theadapter. The adaptor then transmits the personalization information tothe corresponding personal audio device according to the identifier.After the personalization information is received, the personal audiodevice can be configured accordingly and then start to receive the audiooutput.

[0039] In yet another embodiment, a personal audio device can beconfigured to be selected by a specific wireless audio adapter or anaudio system. Such configurations would be applicable for after-marketsales. The selection can be achieved through a number of approaches. Forexample, there can be switches on both the personal audio device and thewireless audio adapter, or both can have a number of channels. Theseswitches or channels can be changed by users. When both set of switchesor channels are matched, then the personal audio device is configuredfor the wireless audio adapter. Another approach is based on the MediaAddress Control (MAC) layer address, IP address or TCP or UDP portnumbers. For example, the personal audio device and the wireless audioadapter can agree on a specific TCP or UDP port number. They can then beconfigured to receive packets or signals from only that port. Thepersonal audio device and the wireless audio adapter can also beidentified by their specific addresses, such as IP addresses or MAClayer addresses.

[0040]FIG. 4 is a diagram of a building layout 400 illustrating use ofseveral embodiments of the present invention. The building layout 400illustrates a representative floor plan having a first room 402, secondroom 404 and a third room 406. The first room 402 includes an audiosystem (AS) 408 that includes a wireless transmission apparatus 410, ora wireless audio adapter, coupled to the audio system 408. The audiosystem 408 can use a traditional speaker and/or a directional speaker todirect audio sound to one or more of a first user (u-1) and a seconduser (u-2) located within the first room 401. Further, using thewireless transmission apparatus 410, the audio output from the audiosystem 408 can also be transmitted over a wireless channel (link) to oneor more other users that are relatively nearby the wireless transmissionapparatus 410. In other words, the type of the wireless channel sets therange. Typically, the range is relatively short, such as less than 400meters. Hence, using the wireless channel, any one or more of a thirduser (u-3), a fourth user (u-4) and a fifth user (u-5) are able to hearthe audio output by way of a personal audio device that receives theaudio output over a wireless channel. As shown in FIG. 4, the fifth user(u-5) has a personal audio device 412 attached or proximate thereto. Inone embodiment, the fifth user (u-5) wears the personal audio device412, and is able to hear the audio output from the audio system 408 eventhough the fifth user (u-5) is, for example, outside of the building,such as in the backyard. The personal audio device 412 thus allows aremote user (e.g., u-5) to hear the audio output from the audio system408 even though they are not within the same room or building as theaudio system 408. So long as the remote user is within communicationrange of the wireless channel, the remote user can hear the audio outputeven as the remote user moves around. Since the third user (u-3) and thefourth user (u-5) do not have personal audio devices, these users willnot hear the audio output from the audio system 408 unless the audiooutput from the traditional speaker (if any) at the audio system 408permeates the entire building layout 400 shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] In one embodiment, the personal audio devices can be wearable byusers. Additional details on audio-related devices can be found, forexample, in the above-referenced U.S. patent applications, which havebeen incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] Besides directionally constraining audio sound that is to bedelivered to a user, the audio sound can optionally be additionallyaltered or modified in view of the user's hearing characteristics orpreferences, or in view of the environment in the vicinity of the user.

[0043]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a remote audio delivery process 500according to one embodiment of the invention. The remote audio deliveryprocess 500 is, for example, performed by a remote audio deliverysystem, such as the remote audio delivery system 100, 200, or 300.

[0044] The remote audio delivery process 500 begins with audio signalsbeing received 502 at a wireless audio adapter (or a wirelesstransmission apparatus). Typically, however, prior to receiving 502 theaudio signals, the wireless audio adapter would have been attached tothe audio system that initially provides the audio signals. In any case,the audio signals that are received 502 are thereafter wirelesslytransmitted 504 to a personal audio device. Typically, the audio signalsare wirelessly transmitted a predetermined personal audio device. Inother words, the wireless audio adapter can be configured to transmitaudio signals to be wirelessly received by a predetermined personalaudio device. However, the audio signals may be transmitted to aplurality of predetermined personal audio devices. To direct the audiosignals to be received by the appropriate one or more personal audiodevices, a number of methods can be used, for example, predeterminedfrequencies, encoding and/or network identifiers (e.g., addresses).

[0045] After the audio signals are wirelessly transmitted 504, the audiosignals are received 506 at the personal audio device. At this point,additional processing can be performed to enhance the resulting audiosound that will eventually be delivered to a user of the personal audiodevice. A decision 508 determines whether user personalization is to beperformed. When the decision 508 determines that user personalization isto be performed, then the audio signals are modified 510 based on userinformation. For example, the user information can be provided by a datastorage device, such as the data storage device 212 as illustrated inFIG. 2.

[0046] In one implementation, the user information is related to anaudio profile that pertains to the hearing characteristics of the user.In another implementation, the user information is related to thephysical conditions of the user. Such physical conditions can bedetected by a sensor, which can be embedded in the personal audiodevice, or wirelessly supplied to the personal audio device. As anexample, if the user is sleeping, the volume of the output sound shouldbe reduced or even turned off. Determining physical conditions can bedynamically performed. For example, a sensor can keep track of theuser's heart beat and identify patterns accordingly.

[0047] Following the modifying 510 or directly following the decision508 when user personalization is not to be performed, a decision 512determines whether environmental adjustments are to be performed. Whenthe decision 512 determines that environmental adjustments are to beperformed, the audio signals are modified 514 based on environmentalcharacteristics. Such environmental characteristics can be detected orsensed by the personal audio device, which can include one or moreenvironmental sensors. As an example, the environmental sensor(s) canmeasure ambient or background noise. The environmental characteristicscould also be wirelessly transmitted to the personal audio device.

[0048] Following the modifying 514 based on environmentalcharacteristics or directly following the decision 512 when noenvironmental adjustments are to be made, the audio signals areconverted 516 to ultrasonic drive signals. The ultrasonic drive signalsare then used to drive 518 a directional speaker that, in turn, outputsultrasonic sound in a directionally constrained manner. The ultrasonicsound is directed to the user of the personal audio device and interactswith air such that audio sound is present when the acoustic output fromthe directional speaker is in the vicinity of the head (or ears) of theuser. However, since the ultrasonic (and resulting audio) sound producedis directionally constrained, it is delivered in a targeted way to theuser. Thus, other users in the vicinity of the user will not hear anysubstantial amount of the audio sound, and therefore will not bedisturbed thereby.

[0049]FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of an environmental accommodationprocess 600 according to one embodiment of the invention. Theenvironmental accommodation process 600 determines 602 environmentalcharacteristics. In one implementation, the environmentalcharacteristics can pertain to measured sound (e.g., noise) levels atthe vicinity of the user. The sound levels can be measured by a pickupdevice (e.g., microphone) at the vicinity of the user. The pickup devicecan be incorporated in the personal audio device. In anotherimplementation, the environmental characteristics can pertain toestimated sound (e.g., noise) levels at the vicinity of the user. Thesound levels at the vicinity of the user can be estimated based on aposition of the user/device and a linking of position with an estimatedsound level for the particular environment. The position of the usercan, for example, be determined by GPS or network triangulation. Afterthe environmental accommodation process 600 determines 602 theenvironmental characteristics, the audio signals are modified based onthe environmental characteristics. For example, if the user were in anarea with a lot of noise (e.g., ambient noise), such as a confined spacewith various persons or where construction noise is present, the audiosignals could be processed to attempt to suppress (or cancel) theunwanted noise and/or the audio signals (e.g., in a desired frequencyrange) could be amplified. In the case of amplification, if noise levelsare excessive, the amplification might not occur as the user might notbe able to safely hear the desired audio signals. In other words, therecan be a limit to the amount of amplification and there can be negativeamplification (even complete blockage) when excessive noise levels arepresent. Noise suppression and amplification can be achieved throughconventional digital signal processing, amplification and/or filtering.The environmental accommodation process 600 can, for example, beperformed periodically or for every new audio stream.

[0050] A user might have a hearing profile that contains the user'shearing characteristics. Hence, the audio sound provided to the user canoptionally be customized or personalized to the user by altering ormodifying the audio signals in view of the user's hearingcharacteristics. By customizing or personalizing the audio signals tothe user, the audio output can be enhanced for the benefit of the user.Additional details on hearing enhancement can be found, for example, inU.S. patent application No. ______, filed concurrently, and entitled,“DIRECTIONAL HEARING ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS,” which has been incorporatedherein by reference.

[0051]FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of audio personalization process 620according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio personalizationprocess 620 retrieves 622 an audio profile associated with the user. Thehearing profile contains information that specifies the user's hearingcharacteristics. For example, the hearing characteristics may have beenacquired by the user taking a hearing test. Then, the audio signals aremodified 624 based on the audio profile associated with the user.

[0052] The hearing profile can be supplied to a personal audio device orto a directional audio delivery system that performs the personalizationprocess 620 in a variety of different ways. For example, the audioprofile can be electronically provided to the personal audio device orthe directional audio delivery system through a network. As anotherexample, the audio profile can be provided by way of a removable datastorage device (e.g., memory card). Additional details on audio profilesand personalization can be found in the above-referenced U.S. patentapplications, which have been incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] The environmental accommodation process 600 and/or the audiopersonalization process 620 can optionally be performed together withany of the processes used to produce the directionally confined outputsound, as discussed above. For example, the environmental accommodationprocess 600 and/or the audio personalization process 620 can optionallybe performed together with any of the remote audio delivery systems 100,200 or 300 embodiments discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 or 3,or the remote audio delivery process 500 discussed above in FIG. 5. Withrespect to the remote audio delivery process 500 shown in FIG. 5, theenvironmental accommodation process 600 or the audio personalizationprocess 620 can be performed at the operation 514 or the operation 510,respectively.

[0054]FIG. 7A is a perspective diagram of an ultrasonic transducer 700according to one embodiment of the invention. The ultrasonic transducer700 can implement a directional speaker as discussed herein. Theultrasonic transducer 700 produces the ultrasonic sound utilized asnoted above.

[0055]FIG. 7B is a diagram that illustrates the ultrasonic transducer700 with its beam 704 being produced to output ultrasonic sound. Thebeam 704 can have its attributes, such as its beam width, varied in avariety of different ways. Additional details on the ultrasonictransducer 700 can be found, for example, in the above-referenced U.S.patent applications, which have been incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] An audio system of the present invention can include or couple toa set top box that includes the wireless audio adapter or permitsattachment thereto. A set-top box enables a television set to receiveand decode digital television broadcasts. Typically, the set-top box ispositioned proximate to the television set.

[0057]FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram of an audio system that providesdirectional audio delivery to interested users. The figure illustratesan audio system 800 that includes a television 802, a set-top box 804and a directional speaker 806. The directional speaker 806 providesdelivery of audio signals in a constrained direction. Further, thedirectionally constrained audio signals can be controlled as to thetarget distance for its users as well as for the width of the resultingaudio signals. The directional speaker 806 outputs ultrasonic sound byway of an emitter surface 808. The emitter surface 808 can be comprisedof a single or multiple ultrasonic transducers.

[0058] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the directional speaker 806 canbe mounted to the set-top box 804 such that it is able to be rotatedwith respect to the set-top box 804 as well as the television 802. Therotation of the directional speaker 806 causes a change in the directionin which the directionally constrained audio signals are delivered. Inanother embodiment, the directional speaker 806 can control thedirection in which the directionally constrained audio signals aredelivered, such as by beam steering techniques. Additional details ondifferent embodiments of set-top boxes can be found, for example, in theabove-referenced U.S. patent applications, which have been incorporatedherein by reference.

[0059] Besides the ability of the audio system 800 to include optionallydirectional speaker 806, the audio system 800 illustrated in FIG. 8 canutilize the various methods and processes discussed above to providewireless audio delivery to personal audio devices. More particularly,the set-top box 804 can also include a wireless audio adapter asdiscussed above. For example, in one embodiment, the set-top box 804 caninclude the wireless transmission apparatus 104 (and possibly the audiosystem 102). In another embodiment, the set-top box 804 can include thewireless transmitter 204 (and possibly the audio system 202) of theremote audio delivery system 200. Optionally, the set-top box withdirectional speakers shown in FIG. 8 is able to transform conventionaltelevisions into televisions whose audio systems have directional audiodelivery (as well as wireless delivery to personal audio devices).

[0060] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic beam is considered directedtowards the ear as long as any portion of the beam, or the cone of thebeam, is immediately proximate to, such as within 7 cm of, the ear. Thedirection of the beam does not have to be directed at the ear. It caneven be orthogonal to the ear, such as propagating up from one'sshoulder, substantially parallel to the face of the person.

[0061] The various embodiments, implementations and features of theinvention noted above can be combined in various ways or usedseparately. Those skilled in the art will understand from thedescription that the invention can be equally applied to or used inother various different settings with respect to various combinations,embodiments, implementations or features provided in the descriptionherein.

[0062] The invention can be implemented in software, hardware or acombination of hardware and software. A number of embodiments of theinvention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computerreadable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage devicethat can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system.Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory,random-access memory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, optical data storagedevices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also bedistributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computerreadable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

[0063] The advantages of the invention are numerous. Differentembodiments or implementations may yield different advantages. Oneadvantage of the invention is that audio output from an audio system canbe wirelessly transmitted to a personal audio device without requiringmodification to the audio system. Another advantage of the invention isthat audio output produced for a user by a personal audio device can bedirectionally constrained so as to provide directional audio delivery.The directionally constrained audio output can provide less disturbanceto others in the vicinity who are not desirous of hearing the audiooutput. Still another advantage of the invention is that audio outputproduced for a user by a personal audio device can be customized for theuser and/or to the environment of the user.

[0064] Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. The description and representation herein arethe common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art tomost effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the present invention.

[0065] In the foregoing description, reference to “one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment can beincluded in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor areseparate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts ordiagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do notinherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations inthe invention.

[0066] The many features and advantages of the present invention areapparent from the written description and, thus, it is intended by theappended claims to cover all such features and advantages of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation as illustrated anddescribed. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may beresorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for enhancing an audio system, the audiosystem delivers audio output to an audio output terminal, said systemcomprising: a wireless transmitter that connects to the audio outputterminal and wirelessly transmits the audio output provided by the audiosystem; and a personal audio device usable by a user to hear the audiooutput, said personal audio device including at least: a wirelessreceiver capable of receiving the audio output transmitted by saidwireless transmitter; a data store for storing user information; acontroller operatively connected to said data store and said wirelessreceiver, said controller operates to produce customized audio output bymodifying the audio output received by said wireless receiver based onthe user information; and a speaker operatively connected to saidcontroller, said speaker produces an audio sound output in accordancewith the customized audio output.
 2. A system as recited in claim 1,wherein said speaker is a directional speaker.
 3. A system as recited inclaim 2, wherein said controller produces ultrasonic drive signals basedon the customized audio output and supplies the ultrasonic drive signalsto said directional speaker for output of the audio sound output in adirectionally constrained manner.
 4. A system as recited in claim 1,wherein the user information comprises a user hearing profile.
 5. Asystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the user information comprises atleast one user preference.
 6. A system as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid personal audio device further obtains environmental informationpertaining to the vicinity of said personal audio device, and whereinthe customized audio output produced by said controller is dependent onthe environmental information.
 7. A system as recited in claim 6,wherein the environmental information includes at least a noise level,and wherein the output volume of the audio sound is dependent on thenoise level.
 8. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein said personalaudio device further comprises: at least one environmental sensor thatacquires the environmental information.
 9. A system as recited in claim6, wherein the environmental information is determined based on aposition of said personal audio device or the user.
 10. A system forenhancing an audio system, the audio system delivers audio output to anaudio output terminal, said system comprising: a wireless transmissionapparatus that connects to the audio output terminal to receive audiooutput from the audio system and wirelessly transmits a customized audiooutput, said wireless transmission apparatus including at least: a datastore for storing user information; and a first controller operativelyconnected to said data store, said first controller operates to producethe customized audio output by modifying the audio output received bysaid wireless transmission apparatus based on the user information; anda personal audio device usable by a user to hear the customized audiooutput, said personal audio device including at least: a wirelessreceiver capable of receiving the customized audio output transmitted bysaid wireless transmission apparatus; a second controller operativelyconnected to said wireless receiver to receive the customized audiooutput that has been received, said second controller further convertsthe customized audio output into audio output signals; and a speakeroperatively connected to said second controller, said speaker producesan audio sound output in accordance with the audio output signals.
 11. Asystem as recited in claim 10, wherein said speaker is a directionalspeaker.
 12. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the audio outputsignals produced by said second controller are ultrasonic drive signalsbased on the customized audio output, and the ultrasonic drive signalsare supplied to said directional speaker for output of the audio soundoutput in a directionally constrained manner.
 13. A system as recited inclaim 10, wherein the user information comprises a user hearing profile.14. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the user informationcomprises at least one user preference.
 15. A system as recited in claim10, wherein said personal audio device further obtains environmentalinformation pertaining to the vicinity of said personal audio device,and wherein the customized audio output produced by said firstcontroller is dependent on the environmental information.
 16. A systemas recited in claim 15, wherein said personal audio device furthercomprises: at least one environmental sensor that acquires theenvironmental information.
 17. A system as recited in claim 15, whereinthe environmental information is wirelessly transmitted to said firstcontroller.